The annual Bishop Hill Honor Flight benefit is set for Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Filling Station restaurant located at 307 Bishop Hill Street.
A breakfast buffet will be served from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., for a suggested goodwill offering of $15 to $25.
According to the owner, Nicci Dillon, the buffet will feature eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, fruit, coffee and juice. There will also be pancakes made and served by the Knights of Columbus.
Dillon notes that the restaurant’s grill will not be available, so the regular menu will not be served.
“There will be plenty of food on the buffet,” she said. “The staff and I are hoping to see our regular customers and any new ones that wish to help our veterans.”
Seating is available inside and outside the restaurant, as well as next door at the Bishop Hill fire station, where raffle items and a bake sale will be featured.
Those wishing to donate raffle items and baked goods are asked to bring them to the Filling Station by Thursday, Aug. 14, although Dillion said that she is willing to accept such donations that Saturday if necessary.
“Each year, area residents have been so generous with raffle items,’ said Dillon, “and we hope the added bake sale will help us raise more money.”
The August celebration marks the 16th Honor Flight fundraiser, originally begun by Linda Spring, who died last year, after sponsoring the event for 14 years. She, along with the Bishop Hill community, helped raise over $600,000 during that time, all to help deserving veterans make the trip to Washington, D.C.
Some Bishop Hill businesses are running specials during the week leading up to the breakfast. H. Wyatt is donating 20% of a purchase from their online flag collection, or the flag sweaters sold in the store. On the day of the Honor Flight, they will serve Spring’s favorites: “Lunch Lady” brownies and loaves of white bread for free will donations.
The staff of Krans Kafe are doing their part by featuring a scoop of ice cream for a “pay what you wish” donation.
“It is always amazing how the community and surrounding towns support this fundraiser,” said Dillon. “We have many generous people who appreciate our veterans.”
According to the Quad City Honor Flight website, top priority is given to WWII and Korean War Era Veterans, or any veterans with a terminal illness. The intention is to honor local and regional heroes who were selfless in their military duty with a free trip to visit their memorials. All Veterans within a 75-mile radius of the Quad Cities are encouraged to apply. The program operates on donations from organizations and individuals. Volunteers of all kinds plan and coordinate the flight events, and special guardians are trained to help escort the veterans on flight days.
All honor flights depart on a non-stop charter from the Quad City International Airport to Washington, D.C., and return the same evening at approximately 10 p.m. More information and applications are available at www.honorflightqc.org.
To find out how you can participate in or donate to the fundraiser, contact Dillon at 309- 927-3355 or Joella Krause at 414-573-4724.
